Letter to: Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphisms and the Risk of Endometriosis
Author(s):
Message:
Article Type:
Letter (دارای رتبه معتبر)
Abstract:
We read with interest the article by Fayez et al entitled "Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphisms and the Risk of Endometriosis" 1 that was recently published in your journal.
These authors evaluated the association between some polymorphisms of human arylamine N-acetyl-transferase 2 (NAT2) gene (in particular C481T, A803- G, G857A and G590A) and the risk of endometriosis development. Specifically, it was found a significant difference in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of NAT2 G590A polymorphisms between patients with endometriosis and healthy women; in particular, a protective role for NAT2 590A allele in the progression of endometriosis was reported. On the other hand, the authors observed a higher frequency of rapid acetylator phenotype in patients affected.
We deem that this topic appears extremely interesting, but at the same time controversial: it is known that NAT2 enzyme has a critical role in the initial biotransformation of multiple xenobiotic substances (among all aromatic amines and hydrazines) and that several polymorphisms and alleles of its gene characterize the genome of general population (with different distribution in the world) 2. Thus, it appears reasonable an eventual contribution of some NAT2 polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, in which the role oxidative stress (to which the systemic biotransformation of endogenous or exogenous substances may take part) has been largely demonstrated 3. On contrary, previous studies aiming to demonstrate a causative role of NAT2 polymorphisms and acetylator phenotypes in this benign hormone-dependent disease obtained controversial results 4-6.
Although the authors should be congratulated for these innovative findings, we would like to discuss an important aspect of the study. In material and methods, Fayer et al described that DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 141 Iranian patients with surgical confirmation of endometriosis and underwent analysis by PCR-RFLP method. Anyway, authors might specify the different distribution of types of endometriosis in the enrolled population. In particular, it would be of interest to know if women had peritoneal nodules, ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodules, or a combination of these. On the other hand, the authors may specifically report if the risk of acetylator phenotypes for having endometriosis has been higher regardless of such endometriosis types. In fact, we think that the polymorphisms of NAT2 gene and the subsequent translated enzymes may differently contribute in these three different types of endometriosis that are known to have distinguished pathogenesis 7. Regarding this topic, it has been previously described that nodules of DIE have higher oxidative stress and inflammatory environment as well more abundant content of nerve fibers, which may cause a more aggressive clinical behavior 8. For this reason, it is conceivable that an anomalous biotransformation of biological endogenous or exogenous macromolecules may give a higher susceptibility for developing DIE.
Anyway, the results of the study by Fayez et al 1 are innovative and promising. Thus, in the near future, new genetic studies are awaited to better clarify the role of NAT2 in the multiple aberrant pathways that characterize endometriotic stromal cells. Additionally, it would be of interest to better understand if this protein (whenever anomalous) may also represent a suitable therapeutic molecular target. In fact, in the last year, research has been particularly active in finding new medical options to treat young women with endometriosis 9 that need a chronic treatment balancing clinical efficacy with safety 10.
Language:
English
Published:
Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology, Volume:10 Issue: 4, Oct-Dec 2018
Pages:
277 to 278
magiran.com/p1887460  
دانلود و مطالعه متن این مقاله با یکی از روشهای زیر امکان پذیر است:
اشتراک شخصی
با عضویت و پرداخت آنلاین حق اشتراک یک‌ساله به مبلغ 990,000ريال می‌توانید 70 عنوان مطلب دانلود کنید!
اشتراک سازمانی
به کتابخانه دانشگاه یا محل کار خود پیشنهاد کنید تا اشتراک سازمانی این پایگاه را برای دسترسی نامحدود همه کاربران به متن مطالب تهیه نمایند!
توجه!
  • حق عضویت دریافتی صرف حمایت از نشریات عضو و نگهداری، تکمیل و توسعه مگیران می‌شود.
  • پرداخت حق اشتراک و دانلود مقالات اجازه بازنشر آن در سایر رسانه‌های چاپی و دیجیتال را به کاربر نمی‌دهد.
دسترسی سراسری کاربران دانشگاه پیام نور!
اعضای هیئت علمی و دانشجویان دانشگاه پیام نور در سراسر کشور، در صورت ثبت نام با ایمیل دانشگاهی، تا پایان فروردین ماه 1403 به مقالات سایت دسترسی خواهند داشت!
In order to view content subscription is required

Personal subscription
Subscribe magiran.com for 50 € euros via PayPal and download 70 articles during a year.
Organization subscription
Please contact us to subscribe your university or library for unlimited access!